Waiting

“So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” Ephesians 3:17-18

Sometimes I get so busy and caught up in looking ahead and preparing for things to come that I miss what the Lord wants me to hear right now. There are times in our lives that we need to ‘press pause’ for further instruction while remaining in our present circumstance. We need to be still and focus on God. To choose to be still and quiet our hearts. The Psalmists says “I have stilled and quieted my soul.” Psalms 131:2} This pause doesn’t mean that we are to wait for events to work out as we want, but, for God’s will to be done. Pressing pause leads us to the season of sowing. Jesus frequently taught on the principles of sowing and reaping.

“A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,” Ecclesiastics 3:2

It’s usually during those busiest times in our lives that warrants a pause and reflection. This is when we need to look for spiritual refreshment. Life is like a garden. We reap what we sow. I like to invision my life as a garden. Sowing brings a gentle, calm rhythm to the daily chaos of life. It teaches me that every step is important, vital and has potential. Sowing brings me a spirit of patience and peace.

“Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.” Ecclesiastes 11:6

The greatness of God is everywhere. Most of all, his greatness is in us. So many times he comforts us, helps us, protects us and guides us. He is always there with us through each crisis, not merely watching but actively and lovingly taking care of us. He has sprinkled treasures in our lives, gifts just waiting to be noticed. Be still and embrace each moment. Learn what Gods will for your life is and where your treasures are by…Press Pause.
“In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” Isaiah 30:15

Like this:

“For whatever was thus written in former days was written for our instruction, that by [our steadfast and patient] endurance and the encouragement [drawn] from the Scriptures we might hold fast to and cherish hope.” – Romans 15:4 AMP

Waiting on the Lord…hmmm, that’s a hard one for me at times. However, that’s part of learning to endure, hope, and trust in the Lord. The fact is, He knows much better than me anyway so why is waiting on Him so hard? Mainly, because I’m uncomfortable. Notice I used the words, “I was uncomfortable…” See, when we make life about us, we miss out on what God is trying to do. For example, when we first moved to Florence, we were living in a bad situation. All I could do is dream every second that God would deliver us out. But He didn’t until four months later. We had to go through so much injustice during that time, but when God moved and we were able to live in a better place it gave us so much more appreciation for those first four months. Had we not gone through that trial, I’m not sure I would cherish where I am now. Also, there were so many details that God had to work out to get us where we are now and those plans couldn’t have been orchestrated any sooner than the four months. What makes this story even more incredible is that our bills in our new place are lower than where we were those four months! Isn’t God good? Too bad, we don’t realize this until AFTER the deliverance comes!

We must change this, don’t you think? God’s word is written to help us endure trials WITH HOPE that we know our Lord hears, sees all we go through, and has a perfect plan for each of us. We have to be willing to wait on Him with hope. He will NEVER let us down, He will NEVER break a promise to us. His plans are absolutely perfect for us. “Father God, help us to keep hope while we endure and wait on your perfect timing for all our situations. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

“Trust in the LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” – Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)

Hmmm….Trust. That’s a tough words sometimes, huh? But, it is most important in our Christian walk. You see, we can’t count on our emotions all the time cause they swing from left to right. We can count on the situations in life or other people, but we can count on the Lord that if we trust Him with all our heart, not lean on our thoughts, that He will help us know what path to take. But there’s one more thing to do in this scripture and that is to see His will in all we do. So, these three things go together if we want Him to show us His way to go:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart.

Do NOT depend on your own understanding; and

Seek Him in all you do.

In life, we put our trust in many things or people, for example: doctors, lawyers, even ingredients on food labels. We trust that when we put the key in the ignition, the car will start. So, we have experience in trusting. Why is so difficult then to trust God? Mainly, because we can see Him with our naked eye. And oftentimes, we fight doubt. But, though our thinking can be flawed, though our understanding tainted with doubts, though our minds are finite, and though we have limitations, our God does NOT. We can put our life in His perfect hands. We can trust Him to help us make sound decisions. Even, if we’re in the middle of a trial, we can trust Him for the way out. Today, don’t lean to your understanding by trying to figure it out, or calling every friend to get advice (nothing wrong with advice), but instead of using your go-to methods, let’s remember and apply Proverbs 3:5-6 instead. Then, watch what God does next! He will NEVER disappoint!